Bed



March 29, 1938.

W. F. LOIBL BED Filed May 1o, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY March 29, 1938. w- F LQ1BL 2,112,702

' BED Filed May l0, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 www3. A. WMM

ATTORNEY I Patented Mar. 29, 1938 BED William F.' Loibl, Cedarburg,l Wis. Application May 10, 1937, Serial No. 141,604

13 Claims.

My invention relates in general to improve ments in the art of manufacturing supports for elongated objects such as a reclining or reposing human body, and relates more specifically to im- 5 provements in the construction and operation of beds, cots, operating tables or the like, and to means for effecting changes in bedding without disturbing a body resting upon the bed.

Generally defined, an object of my present invention is to provide an improved bed or the like support to the other, and so far as known to Y me, no prior simple assemblages have been devised for permitting such changes in bedding or transfer of a body.

My present invention therefore more specically contemplates provision of an improved bed structure or the like, which will in fact permit either convenient bedding changes or rapid transfer of a patient from one support to another, without undesirably annoying the patient.

Another specic object of my invention is the provision of a relatively simple and durable bed structure wherein the normal Vbody supporting area may be quickly reduced so as to permit access to bed sores or convenient use of a bed pan, and

which may be thoroughly ventilated and aired without removing the occupant.

40 A further specic object of the invention is to provide a new and useful separable section bed or table, the sections of which may be readily separated to provide two independent resting supports, or combined to form a composite support.

Still another specic object of my invention is to provide a bed composed of relatively vertically movable alternate sections which may be conveniently adjusted to change the supporting areas presented to a body reposing upon the bed, without any eiTort on the part of such person.

An additional specific object of my invention is to provide various improvements in the construction of adjustable beds or the like, whereby the utility of such devices is enhanced to a maxi- 'I'hese and other specific objects and advan- ,tages will be apparent from the following detailed v description.

A clear conception of embodiments of the varrious features constituting my present invention, 5 and of the mode of constructing and of using Several types of beds and tables built in accordance with the improvement, may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and form,- ing a part of this specification wherein like ref- 10 erence characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic, part sectional top view 'of a typical bed assemblage embodying my invention, the two bed sections hav- 15 ing been partially separated;

Fig. 2 is a similarly diagrammatic longitudinal vertical section through the bed assemblage of Fig. 1, taken along the irregular line 2 2;

Fig. 3 is a part sectional end view. of the im- 20 proved bed assemblage, likewise showing the sections partially separated;

Fig. 4 is a part sectional end view of the normally removable section of the bed assembly of Figs. 1, 2, and 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the bed section of Fig. 4, showing details of construction thereof;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top view of the bed assemblage showing the mode of applying fresh 30 linens;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through an operating table assemblage embody ing features of my invention; and

Fig. 8 is a part sectional top view of a cot bed 35 embodying removable mattress sections in accordance with the invention.

While I have shown and described my invention herein, by way of illustration, as having been embodied in a specicmanner to only three prac- 40 tical types of beds or body supports, it is not the intent to thereby unnecessarily restrict the scope since most of the novel features are more generally applicable to other types of body supports having varied details of construction.

Referring specifically to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the improved hospital bed illustrated more or less diagrammatically therein, comprises in general two relatively movable and inter-cooperating bed sections one of which consists of a roller sup- 50 ported frame IIJ having a series of parallel elongated padded body supportsy Il vertically adjustvably mounted thereon; and the other of which consists of` a roller supported frame I2 having a similar series of body supports I3 stationarily but 55 detachably suspended therefrom. 'Ihe two frames III, I2 may be mounted upon casters I4 as shown. and the body supports II, I3 are formed of such width and are so spaced that when the two bed sections are assembled, the supports II will fillv the spaces between the supports I3 and will thus provide a substantially continuous padded supporting surface upon which a person may repose. The supporting frame I3 with its padded body supports II constitutes the main section of the bed, while the other supporting frame I2 with its padded body supports I3 will be designated as the auxiliary or movable bed section, but it should be -understood that either of these bed sections may be moved relative to the other so as to cause relative sliding or telescoping of the padded supports II, I2. Y

` The frame III of the main bed section has parallel U-shaped end portions which are rigidly connected by lowexbraces I5, and the opposite ends of this frame I3 are provided with parallel horizontal guide flanges I6 as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Each of the body supports II is resiliently mounted upon a lower bar I1 by means of a series of parallel vertical guide rods I8 andsprings I9 surrounding the same, and the opposite ends of the bars I1 are detachably secured to the opposite side rails of a sub-frame 2li by means of vertical plates 2I and clamping screws 22 coacting therewith.y The assemblage is such that the mattress sections each comprising a support II, bar I1, rods I8 and springs I9, are normally xedly mounted upon and movable with the sub-frame 20, and this entire assemblage is vertically movable relative vto the lower braces I5 of the main frame III. The opposite ends of the sub-frame 20 are connected to the adjacent opposite ends of the lower braces I5 by several sets of toggle links 23, 24, the upper ends of the upper links 23 being pivotally attached to the sub-frame 20, the lower ends of the lower links 24 being likewise pivotally attached to the braces I5, and the adjacent ends of the links 23, 24 being pivotally connected with transverse elongated blocks 25. The blocks 25 have central alined openings which are oppositely threaded for the reception of right and left hand screw threads formed on the opposite ends of a horizontal adjusting shaft 26 extending throughout the bed length and having a crank or actuating wheel 21 at one end thereof. The arrangement and formation of these elements is obviously such that when the wheel 21 is rotated in one direction, the blocks 25 will move toward each other to thereby simultaneously lower all of the padded supports I I, whereas opposite rotation of the Wheel 21 will separate the blocks 25 and raise all of the supports II.

The auxiliary or movable frame I2 is shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5, and this frame has parallel vertical end portions 28 each of Which is provided with a ridge bar 29 adapted to ride within the recess formed by the adjacent main frame iiange I6 as indicated in Figs. l and 2. The bottom of each ridge bar 29 is provided with a toothed rack 30 which is adapted to coaot with an adjacent pinion 3| when the ridge is slid longitudinally beneath the corresponding flange I6, and the pinions are rigidly attached to the opposite ends of a shaft 32 which is journaled in bearings on the braces I5 of the main frame I0. With this assemblage, parallel and simultaneous advancement of both end portions 28 of the auxiliary frame I2 relative to the opposite endsl of the main frame I will always be assured during assembly or dismantling of the bed sections, and the end Yportions 23 are rigidly interconnected only at one side of the bed by means of several stifl' bars 33. One end of the pinion shaft 32 may be extended outwardly beyond the frames I3, I2 and provided with a crank 32 as shown in Fis. 1, so that by turning this crank, the pinions 3| and racks 33 will cause the two bed sections to move relatively to each other. The upper of the connecting bars 33 has integral brackets 34 projecting laterally therefrom and is provided -with a socket 35 adjacent each of these brackets`34 as illustrated in Fig. and the padded supports I3 are again resiliently supported upon transverse bars 31 by means of parallel guide rods 33 and springs 39 to form mattress sections each of which is detachably attachablev to one of the sockets 35 by means of a hook 4I| secured to the end of its bar 31. When the mattress sections are thus attached to the frame bar 33, the lower bars 31 rest upon and are supported by the brackets 34 as shown in solid lines in Fig. 5, but

the mattress sections may be conveniently r'emoved from the auxiliary frame I2 by merely tilting the same as shown in dot-and-dash lines and by subsequently sliding the hooks 40 from within the sockets 35.

Ihe padded body supports I I, I3 are thus readily lremovable from their normal retaining structure, and while all of these mattress sections may be made of the same width, some of them may be formed of different widths as shown at the right of Figs. 1 and 2. In some cases it may also be desirable to have some of the medial mattress sections wider or narrower, depending upon the purpose for which the bed is to be used, and the number' of springs I9, 39 which are provided in each mattress section may also be varied as desired. Each padded support I I, I3 is preferably normally covered and protected by a linen or other cloth covering 4I attached thereto by means of tie-bands 42 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 6.

During normal use of the improved bed assemblage shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the padded supports II, I3 are properly covered with linen or other cloth coverings 4I, and the two sections of the bed are normally assembled with the supports I3 located between and in substantial horizontal alinement with the supports II so as to present a suitable upper padded and substantially continuous surface for the support of a body. 'I'he person occupying the bed will then be received upon a. resilient substantially continuous mattress and all of the supports I I, I3 would normally be in position upon their frames I0, I2. If it becomes desirable to change the coverings 4I, the hand wheel 21 may be rotated to elevate the supports II above the intervening supports I3, thus causing the occupant of the bed to be raised away from these intervening supports I3. When this has been accomplished, the auxiliary frame I2 may be withdrawn together with the intervening supports I3 from the main frame I0 and its supports II, andthe occupant will be left lying upon the mattress supports II alone. When the auxiliary bed section has thus been Withdrawn, the coverings 4I on the supports I3 may be replaced, whereupon the auxiliary section 'may again be slid into position within the main section of the bed. The hand Wheel 21 may thereafter be rotated to lower the supports II and the patient resting thereon, until the patient assumes a position upon the recovered supports I3. The lowering of the supports II should then be continued until they are withdrawn from contact with the body resting upon the supports I3, whereupon the auxiliary section with the occupant of the bed lying thereon, may again be withdrawn from the main section so that the coverings 4I on the supports II may be renewed withoutv obstruction. When these coverings have been thus renewed, the two sections of the bed may again be brought together and the supports II may be elevated so as to return them to a position of alinement with the auxiliary supports I3, thereby completing the bedding renewal.

It will thus be noted that the bedding may be conveniently changed without materially inconveniencing or disturbing the occupant of the bed, and it will be apparent that while gaps are lett between the successive supports. I I, I3, when either set of these is removed from the other, the occupant of the bed still has at least one-hal! of the total supporting area to rest upon at all times. This supporting area is well distributed so that the removal oi either set of supports will not materially inconvenience or annoy the occupant.

It should also be noted that the occupant of such a bed may also be conveyed from one location to another without material annoyance, either on one section alone or while resting upon both sections. It may be desirable at times to ventilate the bed by permiting the occupant to lie upon one section alone for a period of time, and the removability of supports II, I3 will permit exposing relatively large areas for treatment of bed sores, or for use of accessories. It should vbe observed that any one or more of the supports I I, I3 may be conveniently removed, the .supports II being removable by virtue of the clamping screws 22, and the supports I3 being removable by virtue of the hooks 40 coacting with the sockets 35. It should also be observed that the racks 30 coacting with the pinions 3l will insure proper alinement and sliding of the two bed.v sections relative to each other, so that the assembly and dismantling of the bed sections may be accomplished without inconvenience.

In the modiiied operating table 'assemblage of Fig. '7, the table is constructed in a manner quite similar to that of the bed shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive. This operating assemblage comprises a main frame I0' and an auxiliary frame I2', the former having padded supports II' associated therewith, while the latter has similar padded supports I3' supported thereby. The only diierence between this operating table assemblage and the bed assemblage previously described, is that the bars I1, rods I8, and springs I9 have been omitted from the supports II', and these have been mounted directly upon the plate 2|; and the bars 31, rods 38 and springs 39 have been omitted from the supports I3' and these have been mounted directly upon the brackets 34. This assemblage therefore omits the resiliency provided by the springs I9, 39, and produces a body supporting surface which is padded but not adapted to give the same as the mattress construction will. The mode of utilizing the operating table is precisely the same as tha-t described in connection with the bed assemblage, and the supports I I' and I3 may be removed from this modified operating table assemblage in the s'ame manner as in the bed assemblage.

In the modied cot bed structure of Fig. 8, the main frame 43 has parallel side beams 44, and two series of alternately arranged parallel elongated mattress sections 45, 46 are removably attached to the side beams 44. Each of the mattress sections 45, 46 has anend projection 41 coacting with a recess in one of the side beams 44, and the opposite ends of each mattress section are provided with a retaining pin 48 which is spring pressed bymeans of a spring 48 to normally hold the same within a hole 50 in the end of the lower bar of the mattress section. By withdrawing theA pin 48 of any section 46, 48, the adjacent end of this section may be lowered to a position be-l neath the adjacent side bar 44, and the projection 41 of that section may subsequently be withdrawn from its normal retaining recess. By alternating vthe mattress sections 4l, 46, the manipulator of the mattress sections may remove and replace linen on alternate sections from one side of the bed and from intervening sections at the other side of the bed. Obviously, this modified cot bed assemblage will likewise permit changing of bedding without disturbing an occupant of the cot. and mattress sections may also be removed for purposes of ventilation, treatment of bed sores, and for convenient use of accessories.

' From the foregoing speciilc description it will be apparent that my present invention provides an improved bed structure especially adapted for use by invalids and sick persons, which will permit convenient change of bedding without inconveniencing the occupant of the bed. The improved assemblage will also permit convenient treatment of bed sores, and use of accessories, and any of the mattress sections may be replaced as a unit when uniit for further use. 'I'he assemblages when completely assembled, function no different than an ordinary bed or operating table or cot, and the body supporting mattress sections may be formed of any desired number and widthr without departing from the present invention.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit this invention to the exact details of construction or to the precise mode of use herein shown and described, for variousmodifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

I claim 1. In combination, a series of rigidly and permanently interconnected parallel body supports, another series of similar rigidly and permanently interconnected parallel body supports interposed between the supports of said ilrst mentioned series, means for effecting simultaneous vertical displacement, and means for effecting subsequent simultaneous endwise removal of the supports of one of said series so as to cause a body originally resting upon both series to be supported by the remaining series alone.

2. In combination, two independent series of alternate rigidly and permanently interconnected parallel body supports having independent carrier frames, means for eiecting simultaneous vertical displacement of one of said series relative to the other, and means for effecting separation of said frames to simultaneously remove the supports of one series from between' those of the other.

3. In combination, two alternate series of body supports, means for effecting simultaneous vertical adjustment of all of the supports of one series either above or below those of the other series, and means for effecting subsequent enclwise removal of the supports of the lowest series.

4. In combination, two alternate seri'es of body supports, means for eiecting simultaneous vertical adjustment of all of the supports of one series either above or below those of the other series, and means for eiiecting simultaneous endwise removal of all oi the supports ot one series l from between those of the other series.

5. In combination, a pair oi' independently supported telescopic trames; a series of body supports carried by each frame and being adapted for sliding of the supports oi' one series and complete removal thereof from between those of `the other, and means for insuring parallel motion of one of said frames relative to the other during relative displacement and removal thereof.

6. In combination, a pair of independently supported telescopic frames, a series of body supports carried by each i'rame and being adapted for sliding oi' the supports of one series and complete removal thereof from between those of the other, and means for eiIecting simultaneous disposition of the supports oi one oi said series above and below those o! the other series.

7. In combination, two independently supported series of rigidly and permanently interconnected body supports cooperable to form a substantially continuous reposing area, the supports of one series being normally disposed between those of the other, means for eecting simultaneous adjustment o! all of the supports of a series above or below said area, and means for effecting simultaneous removal oi all of the supports of a series from between those of the other series.

8. In combination. two independently supported series of rigidly and permanently interconnected body supports cooperable to form a.

substantially continuous reposing area, the supports of one series being normally disposed between those oi the other and each oi said supports having an independently replaceable covering, means for eiecting simultaneous adjustment of all of the supports of a series above or below said area, and means for eiectlng simultaneous removal of all of the supports of a series from between those of the other series.

9. In combination, two independently supported series of rigidly and permanently interconnected body supports cooperable to form a substantially continuous reposing area, the supports of one series being normally disposed between those of the other and each of said supports 'being independently resiliently mounted, means for effecting simultaneous adjustment of all oi the supports o! a series above or below said area, and means for enacting simultaneous removal of all of the supports ot a series fromv series above and below said area, and means for4 eiecting simultaneous removal oi all of the supports of a sexies from between those of the other series.

11. In combination, two series ot body supports, the successive supports ot one series being normally disposed between the successive supports of the other to provide a substantially continuous reposing area and each of said supports having an independently replaceable covering. means for eil'ecting simultaneous adjustment ot all of the supports of a series above and below said area, and means for eil'ecting simultaneous removal of all oi' the supports oi' a series from between those of the other series@` 12. In combination, two series of body supports, the successive supports o! one series being normally disposed between the successive supports oi the other to provide a substantially continuous reposing area and each of said supports being independently resiliently mounted, means for eiIecting simultaneous adjustment of all of the supports of a series above and below said area, and means for eiIecting simultaneous removal of all of the supportsof a series from between those of the other series,

13. In combination, two series of body supports, the successive supports of one series being normally disposed between the successive supports of the other to provide a substantially con-` tinuous reposlng area, means for eiecting simultaneous adjustment o1' all of the supports of a series above and below' said area, means for eecting simultaneous removal of all of the supports of a series from between those of the other series, and means for insuring parallel motion of the supports of one seriesv relative to those of the other during said removal.

wmuAM F. LorBL. 

